GENEVA / NEW DELHI — The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday, January 30, 2026, that the current risk of the Nipah virus (NiV) spreading internationally is “low.” Despite two confirmed cases in West Bengal, India, the global health body emphasized that there is currently no need for travel or trade restrictions.
The statement aims to calm growing regional anxiety after countries including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Pakistan initiated mandatory thermal screening and health declarations for travelers arriving from India.
1. The Outbreak Status: West Bengal, India
According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the current situation is localized and highly monitored.
- Confirmed Cases: Two healthcare workers (one male, one female) in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, tested positive in mid-January.
- Contact Tracing: 196 high-risk contacts were identified and quarantined.
- The Result: As of today, all 196 contacts have tested negative and remain asymptomatic, leading experts to believe the chain of transmission has been broken.
2. Global Reactions: Asia on “High Alert”
Despite the WHO’s “low risk” assessment, several countries have opted for a “better safe than sorry” approach, deploying frameworks built during the COVID-19 pandemic:
| Country | Measures Implemented |
| Thailand | Temperature checks at Suvarnabhumi & Phuket; designated parking for India flights. |
| Singapore | Temperature screening for all arrivals from “affected areas” in South Asia. |
| Pakistan | Mandatory 21-day travel history verification and 100% screening at entry points. |
| Nepal | “High Alert” at Tribhuvan International Airport and Koshi Province land borders. |
| Hong Kong | Gate-side temperature checks for passengers arriving specifically from India. |
3. Understanding Nipah: The Facts
Nipah is a zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans) with a high fatality rate, but it is not as transmissible as respiratory viruses like the flu or COVID-19.
- Primary Source: Fruit bats (Pteropus genus). Infection occurs via contaminated fruit, raw date palm sap, or direct contact with infected animals (pigs/horses).
- Human-to-Human: Possible but usually requires prolonged, close physical contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person (often in hospital or caregiver settings).
- Symptoms: Ranges from asymptomatic to acute respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis (brain swelling).
- Fatality Rate: Extremely high, ranging from 40% to 75%.
4. Why WHO Says “No Need for Alarm”
The WHO’s “low risk” rating is based on the Basic Reproduction Number (R0) of the virus, which is typically below 1. This means that on average, an infected person does not spread the virus to enough people to sustain a large-scale pandemic.
“The localized nature of the outbreak and the rapid negative testing of all primary contacts suggests that onward spread has been effectively stopped.” — LSHTM Experts